Welcome to the Royal High Bath Prep School
We are delighted to welcome your family to Royal High Bath
It is my privilege to lead such an inspirational school which encourages girls to explore and develop in a safe, secure and exciting environment. We’re so lucky to have the award-winning Cranwell House and its eleven acres as the setting for our thriving school. Here our girls have the space to grow and the freedom to explore. I truly believe that spending time outside as well as indoors is a brilliant way to inspire young minds and ensures there’s never a dull moment!
Many families join us in Nursery and progress all the way through to Year 6 and into our Senior School. However, as a growing school, others join us at different stages of their educational journey. Our experienced staff will
be on hand to answer any questions you might have and ensure a positive transition for every member of the family.
Our school is built on the principle that every girl is known to all, their voices heard, and their opinions valued. We achieve this by building excellent relationships with the girls and having specialist teachers from Nursery to Year 6, along with ‘book friends’ for younger classes, Year 6 Prefects and clubs that allow girls to mix across age ranges. Everyone knows everyone else, and this leads to a warm, family feel.
We’re dedicated to helping each girl develop into a happy, well-rounded and responsible individual who aims
higher than she ever thought possible. We encourage risk-taking and learning from mistakes – resilient girls will thrive as they move through life.
I joined the school in September 2019 having successfully led Sidcot Independent Junior School for the previous 8 years. At Sidcot I developed a skills and values based curriculum and implemented many exciting new initiatives, such as an extensive outdoor learning programme and a well-being agenda that equips children with emotional literacy.
My approach to education is very much about the development of the whole child - a holistic approach which is as much about nurturing the spirit as it is about excellent academic outcomes.
Having attended an all-girls educational setting from the age of 11 to 18, I appreciate the benefits of single sex education and I am fully committed to empowering girls to go out into the world as well-educated young women with a great moral compass and the drive, vision and determination to make a difference. Girls should never see gender as a limiting factor to achieving their goals.
The confidence I gained at school helped me to go on to study Music and Education at Homerton College, in the University of Cambridge, where I gained a Bachelor of Education honours degree in 1997. My passion for music extends into my life outside school and I play clarinet and saxophone in a concert band and also saxophone in a Big Band Jazz and Swing ensemble. It is great fun, and I really enjoy the
camaraderie of shared music making. I also love cooking, spending time with my family and taking my Labrador for long walks in the beautiful countryside.
I look forward to getting to know you and your daughters in the coming months.
Ms
Claire Lilley
BEd. (Hons, Cantab) Head of
the Prep School
Term Dates
Autumn Term 2025
Thursday 4 September
Autumn Term begins for Prep, Year 7, 12 and all new Year 8, 9, 10, 11 students
Friday 5 September Autumn Term begins for all students
Friday 19 September
Friday 17 October
Staff Inset Afternoon. Prep School ends at 12:00, Senior School at 12:30
Half Term begins (15:30 Prep, 15:50 Senior)
Monday 3 November Term resumes
Tuesday 9 December Christmas Musical Extravaganza
Friday 12 December Autumn Term ends (15:30 Prep, 15:50 Senior)
Spring Term 2026
Tuesday 6 January Spring Term begins for all students
Friday 13 February Half Term begins (15.30 Prep, 15.50 Senior)
Monday 23 February Term resumes
Thursday 26 March Spring Music Concert
Wednesday 1 April Spring Term ends (15.30 Prep, 15.50 Senior)
Summer Term 2026
Tuesday 21 April
Summer Term begins for all students
Friday 1 May Bank Holiday Exeat begins (15:30 Prep, 15:50 Senior).
Monday 4 May Bank Holiday
Friday 22 May
Half Term begins (15:30 Prep, 15:50 Senior)
Monday 1 June Term resumes
Monday 22 June Speech Day
Friday 3 July Summer Term ends (12:00 Prep, 12:30 Senior)
Whole School Events
There are many performances, sports fixtures and events where we celebrate your daughter’s successes and achievements during the year and details of these will be sent home as each event approaches. The school calendar can be accessed via the SOCS platform.
School policies
Parents have access to the necessary documentation to allow them to fully understand the policies and practices used throughout the Prep School. The policy documents are available to all parents and carers (updated annually). The policies are available on the school website, or contact the office for a hard copy.
Accessing Cranwell House
Accessing Cranwell House safely is a high priority for us. By following some simple guidelines, we can ensure the safety of our girls and respect the wildlife living on site. Parents are encouraged to walk to school or car- share where possible, and ClassList would be the best platform to use to arrange this.
** Please note the external pedestrian gate and school door codes are changed regularly. Parents are not given the code for the vehicle gates. Please do not share the door codes with anyone who is not part of our school community. **
On foot
The Pedestrian Gate is located on the upper driveway; please ensure you close the gate on arrival/departure.
First thing in the morning the girls make their way to the courtyard or to Hope Hall if the weather is wet. They can be picked up from the same locations in the afternoons.
Parents of girls in Year 5 or 6 who wish them to walk home must send a letter/ email to school stating this.
By car to drop off or pick up
The gates at the bottom of the lower driveway are currently open first thing in the morning and from 15:00 – 18:00 every weekday. A turning circle is in operation where parents can drop off at the front of
Cranwell House. Only parents of girls in the Nursery may park in front of Cranwell House to take their daughter into the Nursery. The turning circle is staffed so that parents can remain in their cars while girls are dropped off. Parents of girls in other year groups should park in the car park (see below) if they wish to come into school at the beginning or end of the day.
In the afternoon if your daughter is being collected by car she will wait at the front of Cranwell House. Please do not arrive too early as you will find it harder to get away swiftly.
Road safety is of paramount importance at the Royal High Prep. To ensure the safety of all girls, it is imperative that all parents and staff adopt a responsible attitude to road safety in the vicinity of the school.
Our Traffic Code
To ensure the safety of pupils, staff and our neighbours and also to foster a spirit of courtesy, care and consideration within the whole community, drivers must:
• Make the safety of girls, staff and residents a priority
• Be considerate of everyone living and working within the Cranwell House vicinity
• Respect residents’ privacy and personal space at all times
• Not, under any circumstance, park or turn in private driveways
• Observe the 5mph speed limit into and on the school driveways
• Treat staff directing and managing traffic with respect at all times
• Turn off any loud music in cars during dropping off and picking up times
• Not abandon cars on the front drive and walk to Cranwell House to collect their daughter
• Turn off car engines when stationary/ waiting on the school site
Parking
Parents arriving by car may access the upper car park via the top entrance gates, if they would like to park on site and walk their daughter/s in to school. Due to the flow of traffic coming into the school grounds at this time of day, we ask that parents using the facility do not drive out using the upper drive until after 08.20.
We ask that you respect the fact that it is also a pedestrian exit and leave school with care after 15.40.
If arriving at any other time during the day we ask that you use the intercom positioned on the post adjacent to the gates.
By minibus
The Royal High offers a wide range of bus routes to help with transport to both the Senior School and Prep School sites. Vectare, a specialist school transport company, manages the service on behalf of the school.
One of the most popular bus services is the shuttle between the Prep School and the Senior School, which is very useful for families with children at both sites, or who live close to the Senior School.
In the mornings, this service leaves the Senior School at approximately 08.20, arriving at the Prep School at approximately 08.30. In the afternoons, it leaves the Prep School at approximately 16.00 Monday - Thursday, arriving at the Senior School at approximately 16.15. On Fridays it leaves the Prep School at approximately 15.45, arriving at the Senior School at around 16.00.
Girls are supervised at both sites while waiting for buses or waiting for onward services in the afternoons.
To see the full range of routes and stops available, please have a look at the online booking system, which can be accessed at rhsbath.vectare.co.uk
Our school day
On arrival at school, the girls should make their way to the courtyard where they will be supervised from 08.00. When the weather is wet or very cold the girls will be supervised in Hope Hall. The register is called at 08.30 for all classes and pupils arriving after this will be recorded as late.
Nursery
08:00 Morning session starts – all girls to be in by 08:50
08:50 - 12:00 Morning activities / key worker times / free choice
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch
12:30 - 13.00 Story / song time
13:00 - 13.30 Outdoor play
13.30 - 15:00 Afternoon activities including key worker and focus group sessions
15:00 Snack
15:15 - 15.45 Outdoor / Free play
15:45 - 16:00 Story / song / class discussions
16:05 Free choice activities
16:30 Sandwich tea
18:00 End of Nursery day
Reception - Year 6
08:30 - 08:50 Registration with Form Teacher
08:50 - 09:50 Lesson 1
09:50 - 10:10 Assembly (except Thursday when it is at 08:50 - 09:20)
10:10 - 10:30 Break
10:30 - 11:30 Lesson 2
11:30 - 12:30 Lesson 3
12:30 - 13:20 Lunch (12:10 start for Y1, 12:15 start for Y2)
13:20 - 13:30 Registration
13.30 - 14:30 Lesson 4
14:30 - 15:30 Lesson 5
15:30 END OF DAY
16:05 After School Care begins
Any girl who is not collected by 16:05 will remain with the After School Care supervisors until her parent or carer arrives and a charge will be incurred for this service if it has not been booked in advance.
Celebration and Class Assemblies
Parents are welcome to join us to celebrate the girls’ achievements on Thursday mornings at 08.50. Class assemblies are usually on a Thursday at this time too.
Signing in and out
Registers are taken both in the morning and afternoon. To ensure that all staff are fully aware of the girls’ whereabouts, parents must sign the book in the school reception area in Cranwell House with the time of departure and return where appropriate.
If your daughter misses registration and goes straight to a lesson, the book in the school office has to be signed to give a record in case of fire. No girls should be taken from school without using the correct procedure
Absence from School
If your daughter is absent from school for any reason, it is essential that you inform the school by 09.00 at the latest using telephone (01225 422931) or email (class teacher or c.lilley@rhsb.gdst.net). Any unexplained absences will be followed up.
If requesting an absence in advance, please make this request in writing to the Head of the Prep School – c.lilley@rhsb.gdst.net.
Home / School links
The home/school link is a very important one. Parents often ask what they can do to
support their daughters at school. These are some very simple but practical ways.
• Communicating – please let us know if you have any concerns or queries. If your daughter is upset about something at home or school, please tell us as soon as possible so we can give her any relevant extra support and care.
• You can do this in person, or via a note in her homework diary/phone /email message to Prep School office.
• Ensure your daughter has the correct uniform / PE kit – all clearly labelled. Do remember to check that names written in ink or on shoes have not worn off.
• Homework is a useful home / school link so do please keep an eye on what is brought home. If you need to give your daughter some help, please make a note in the homework diary or pop in and see your daughter’s teacher so extra support can be given in school.
• All girls carry a homework diary. In Reception and Key Stage 1 this is a home school link book and will be used by staff to record reading tasks, home activities and any messages from the form teacher. In the Junior classes the pupils record their homework task along with any reminders of school events. Form teachers in Key Stage 2 will sign this weekly and parents are asked to do so as well.
• The termly calendar is issued to all families with key dates.
• Please ensure your daughter arrives at school between 08:00 and 08:30. An electronic register is taken daily at 08:30.
Communication
Keeping you fully informed and updated about all aspects of school life is very important to us and we send out
information to parents via a weekly email drop on Wednesday and Friday afternoons and a weekly newsletter.
Phone numbers
The main number for the Prep School office is 01225 422931.
The Prep School office is staffed: 08:00-16:00, Monday-Friday.
Messages may be left on this line and are checked throughout the day. If you experience any problems getting through on that number, you may also contact the Senior School on 01225 313877.
After 18.00 the parents of any girls still to be collected are contacted.
Emailing staff
All staff can be contacted via their school email address if you have a question or query. (firstinitial.surname@rhsb.gdst. net in most cases). As teachers are often teaching during the day, this should be only used for non-urgent messages; staff will endeavour to respond within 24 hours where possible. Any messages that need a same-day response should please go via the school office (Prep@rhsb.gdst.net).
School Post
SchoolPost is the whole school communications channel with a weekly email drops on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. It is used to send news and alerts to keep parents updated at all times. It may be used on other occasions, too, for example in the case of a late return to school of a school trip or cancellation of a sports fixture or inclement weather. It is essential that parents keep the school informed of any changes to their mobile number and email address so that the SchoolPost system can work efficiently.
Parent Portal
Our Parent Portal (known as Firefly) provides you with a platform where
information about your daughter is available. This includes information such as attendance data and class teacher reports.
The parents of new pupils will recieve a login to the Parent Portal once your daughter has joined the school. This will not activate for 1-2 days after admission.
Parent Portal passwords remain with you throughout your daughters education journey with the Senior School.
Newsletters, letters and other communications
Newsletters are sent by email every week. These contain useful information on different events, have important dates and summarise a variety of exciting activities the girls have been involved in that week.
Nursery and Prep Team
Prep School Administrator
Head of Prep School
Head of PrePrep (member of PLT)
Reception and Nursery teaching teams
Year 1 and 2 teaching teams
Deputy Head and Upper KS2 Lead (member of PLT)
Years 3-6 teaching teams
Staff team and who to contact
Prep School members of staff are specifically responsible for the following areas:
• Safeguarding (in Early Years and Prep School)
• Learning Support (in Early Years and Prep School)
• English
• Mathematics
• Computing (overseen by the team at the Senior School)
• Outdoor Learning and Discovery
• Performing Arts
• Physical Education
• Eco Warriors
• School Parliament and charity events
We are delighted you have chosen the Royal High Bath and our dedicated team of staff will ensure your daughter thrives here. It is important that we all work together to successfully educate you daughter. All staff have an open door policy and will be happy to discuss any concern or query. We are all big believers in a proactive approach so do not hesitate to contact us however small your concern.
The most appropriate member of staff to contact with a specific concern:
• General query: Prep Administrator - prep@rhsb.gdst.net
• Curriculum or Pastoral question: Your child’s teacher
• PE question: Mr James/Mrs Lewis - p.james@rhsb.gdst.net
• Performing Arts question: Mrs Millard - p.millard@rhsb.gdst.net
• Teaching or Pastoral concern: Mr Rushwroth - Deputy Head - d.rushworth@rhsb. gdst.net or Ms Lilley - Head of Prep School - c.lilley@rhsb.gdst.net
• Safeguarding Concern: Mrs Fernandez - m.fernandez@rhsb.gdst.net
Curriculum matters
We follow our own creative curriculum at the Royal High Bath. Named after our home, our Cranwell Discovery Curriculum has been designed to be diverse, engaging and girl-centred. It provides our girls with unique learning opportunities alongside the breadth and depth required in order to achieve outstanding outcomes. In an everevolving world, it is vital that an individual is able to retain, source and apply newly acquired knowledge in interesting and creative ways. Motivated, creative and confident people who can solve problems, collaborate and communicate effectively are highly sought after in all areas of life, and these are the qualities we encourage and develop.
We draw on the educational philosophies of the Reggio Emilia approach, which respects and values the interests of children, and sees children and educators as co-collaborators in their quest for
knowledge and meaning of the world. The National Curriculum and the goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage also inform the Cranwell Discovery Curriculum. In practice, each year group has a theme for a term. The theme selected will be broadly based on one of three disciplines: science, the humanities and the community and the environment. The initial plan is mapped out by the teacher at the beginning of the term, but the girls are involved with changing and adapting it and so help to take responsibility for their own learning. Formal and informal assessment occurs at regular intervals, enabling the teachers to provide individualised next steps for each girl. Structure and rigour are in place, while at the same time the girls play a key part in deciding which direction their learning takes.
We have found that our pupils are thriving with the Cranwell Discovery Curriculum, gaining knowledge and understanding every day. Across the Royal High School, the skills and attitudes that help ensure every girl becomes an effective and motivated learner are celebrated, and a cycle of information gathering, analysis, reflection and development ensures that all the girls progress positively and happily. If you have any questions about the Cranwell Discovery Curriculum please contact Mr Daniel Rushworth, Deputy Head.
Reporting on Progress
There are various ways in which we keep you informed about how your daughter is doing in school, some formal and some informal. You are, of course, welcome to talk to your daughter’s class teacher at any time. Sometimes it is possible to have a quick chat either before or after school, but staff are always willing to schedule
a meeting at a mutually convenient time. Girls from Year 2 to Year 6 will also have targets or next steps and these will occasionally be sent home or be available to view at “Celebration of Work” events.
There will be two formal, written reports during the year. In the Spring Term there is an Interim Report to report on progress specifically in the core subjects of Maths and English and approaches and attitudes to learning, including setting targets for the rest of the year. Towards the end of the Summer Term there is a full written report covering all aspects of progress and attainment.
The more formal approaches to reporting include parental consultation meetings. These more meetings are opportunities for parents to meet with teachers and discuss specific academic matters and to check on progress.
Finally, at the end of each term Reception – Year 6 girls will bring home their theme book; inside there will be an evaluation sheet linked to our ‘Learning Habits,’ including a comment to her from her class teacher. This feedback will certainly give
you a feel for how well she is doing and what she might need to focus on in the near future. There is also an opportunity for you to reflect on your daughter’s learning and achievements.
Positions of Responsibility
Throughout the Prep School there will be opportunities for your daughter to begin to develop her leadership skills. All year groups will nominate members of Student Parliament for the year. These girls will make help make decisions for the school as well as help drive new initiatives. In addition, each class from Year 3 upwards will have a Form Captain each term who assists the teacher as required. In Year 6, all the girls have the opportunity to act as a school prefect. Class teachers endeavour to share these opportunities wherever possible.
Physical Education
Physical Education at the Royal High focuses on developing a broad range of skills both as an individual and as a team member. Due to the high number of activities and events involved, PE is the curriculum area that often raises the most questions from parents. We hope the information below will help you have a greater understanding of how we deliver this aspect of our action-packed curriculum.
Aims
• To provide a high-quality PE programme that supports and develops the pupils’ well-being, boosting self-esteem and good allround physical health.
• To provide opportunities to become physically confident in a wide range of fundamental movements, fitness and sports.
• To provide competitive experiences for all abilities to build character and help embed values such as fairness and respect.
• To develop competence to help girls excel in a broad range of physical activity.
• To be physically active for sustained periods of time.
• To have fun whilst learning and participating in different sporting events within school and sharing experiences along with other Bath schools.
Pupils will develop fundamental movement skills, become increasingly competent and confident and access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination, individually and with others. They will be able to engage in competitive (both against self and against others) and co-operative physical activities, in a range of increasingly challenging situations.
We teach a progressive programme of learning from Nursery to Year 6 and beyond to Year 13. We introduce movement, carrying, sending and receiving skills and develop competence in formal games of
hockey, netball and cricket. Alongside this we introduce skills in the individual sports of cross country, athletics and swimming.
Nursery learns basic fitness skills related to the core, sending, receiving, climbing, running, jumping and throwing which is continued into Reception. The girls also develop basic skills in hockey, football, rugby, cricket tennis and gymnastics. In addition, they take part in athletics and Reception has 10 hours of swimming lessons throughout the year.
Years 1 and 2 continue to build on the competency taught in Reception, looking at applying skills to game-related activities. They are introduced to competitive team games and learn the importance of good sportsmanship. During the year they participate in two weeks of intensive swimming lessons.
Years 3 and 4 apply the skills they have built into competitive games against other Bath schools; this takes place during their games afternoon each week. They also enjoy an hour-long PE lesson per week consisting of either hockey, netball, cricket or swimming. In addition, both years enjoy 10 hours of intensive swimming lessons.
Years 5 and 6 enjoy a weekly one- hour PE lesson which focuses on gymnastics, fitness, games and athletics. They have another hour focussing on the sports of cricket, hockey and netball with an introduction to basic tennis skills. They complete their week of sport with a games afternoon where they participate in competitive sports against other Bath schools. In addition, they enjoy 10 hours of intensive swimming lessons.
All Years from 3-6 play competitive sports on their games afternoon either amongst themselves or in inter-house competitions, all-inclusive festivals, selected tournaments or inter-school fixtures with other Bath schools and beyond. This is a progressive programme developing from Year 3 through to Year 6. Year 3 will not generally start fixtures until the second half of the Autumn term. Year 3 and 4 play on Monday afternoons from 1.15pm to 3.30/4.30pm or slightly later. Year 5 and 6 play on Wednesday afternoons – they often start earlier at 12.40pm and finish around 5.00pm. There are also opportunities to represent the school at Trust events all around the country with the girls selected mainly from Year 5 and Year 6.
In addition, we encourage girls to join out of school clubs and to share their experiences when back in school.
How can you help
• When selecting clubs for Monday and Wednesday evenings, remember fixtures can finish later than the normal end of the school day.
• Your daughter needs full PE kit (see uniform list).
• For Years 3- 6 this consists of tracksuit, gum shield, shin pads, sun hat and waterproof sports coat. Optional extras are astro shoes, netball trainers and hockey stick.
• A sports letter for Years 3-6 asking permission to participate in fixtures
will be sent out to all parents at the start of the year. All details of the term’s fixtures including timings, venue, opposition and collection times will be posted onto our fixture platform SOCS. All information regarding fixtures and accessing SOCS will be sent to parents at the start of the year. Parents are encouraged to watch and support at fixtures. Parents are also welcome to take their daughters home after a fixture, but please inform the school via email, in advance, if you intend to do this. If a fixture is cancelled or timings are adjusted a message will be sent to all parents via email or SchoolPost.
• In line with health and safety guidelines it is important that earrings and watches (including Fitbits) are not worn for sport. If your daughter cannot take her earrings out by herself then please make sure that you take them out at home prior to school. If necessary, please provide tape to protect the ears.
• All Years 3-6 girls must wear a gum guard for hockey. It is the parents’ responsibility to source one of these prior to the start of the Autumn term. If a pupil does not have a gum guard for a hockey lesson or fixture, this means that unfortunately she will not be allowed to play.
• If your daughter is recovering from an injury or illness and is well enough to be in school, it is an expectation that she should participate in sport. If she cannot then please provide a letter explaining the length of recovery time needed. Girls unable to participate will assist with the lesson or fixture, so appropriate warm clothing is required. If she is not well enough to do this then she should recover at home until well enough to return to school.
Modern Foreign Languages
We believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our girls. It helps them develop their ability to communicate effectively and extends their knowledge of how language works.
Learning a foreign language stimulates excitement, enjoyment and challenge for the girls, giving them a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others.
The natural links between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enrich the overall teaching and learning experience.
The aims of our language teaching at the Royal High Prep School are to:
• promote languages in an enjoyable way that builds confidence and is accessible for all our girls
• stimulate and encourage curiosity and creativity about language
• support oracy and literacy skills
• help the girls develop their awareness of cultural similarities and differences
• lay the foundations for future language study in the Senior School
• give an extra dimension to teaching and learning across the curriculum
There are four main contexts in which language teaching and learning take place.
Our Core Foreign Language
In line with our sister GDST schools, our model of specialist language teaching ensures that we give the girls the opportunity to become more proficient linguists in one language.
French is taught across the whole school and the teaching encompasses a combination of the four essential skills of language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
In addition, the girls have the opportunity to acquire a taste of other languages, learning Spanish in Years 3 and 4 and Mandarin in Year 5. This early introduction to multiple languages helps them to make an informed choice once at secondary level.
Languages lessons
Although links can be made across the curriculum, the girls are taught the specific skills of language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as grammatical concepts and vocabulary in a weekly dedicated lesson with a specialist teacher.
‘Incidental’ language
Languages are part of the day-to-day life of the school. For example, teachers use the foreign language to give simple classroom instructions (‘come in quietly’; ‘listen’; ‘look’) or to take the register. The girls are encouraged to respond using the language they have learned.
Intercultural understanding
Language teaching also provides a basis for teaching and learning about other cultures, and this is incorporated into many areas of the Cranwell Curriculum, including after school clubs and enrichment. Efforts are made to ensure that teaching material across the curriculum includes a ‘flavour’ of the countries where the focus language is spoken.
School payments via ParentPay
The Royal High Bath uses an internet payment system for parents called ParentPay. This is for “extras” and is completely separate from the school fees which are administered direct from the GDST for Reception upwards.
The table below illustrates how the finance team will charge for sundry items during the 2025/2026 year:
Breakfast Club and After school care Must be booked and paid for in advance on ParentPay
Prep School trips
Residential trips
All curriculum trips are charged alongside the fees within the tuition invoice. There may be additional trips, which will need to be paid for separately on ParentPay
All residential trips are charged alongside the fees within the tuition invoice. There may be additional trips, which will need to paid for separately on ParentPay (Ski Trip, Condover Hall and PE Rallies)
Clubs & activities Must be booked and paid for in advance on ParentPay
ParentPay does not automatically inform parents when we add a payment. Therefore, we highly recommend that parents set up an alert so they can process payments quickly and efficiently.
To set up a ParentPay alert
1. Login
2. Go to Communications
3. Go to Alert Settings
4. Select the type of Alert (low balance and/or new item) and select how you want to receive alerts, email and/or SMS Text, Email alerts are free of charge. If you opt for SMS text alerts there is a small charge per text.
For all payments, we send a reminder after two weeks. If payment is not made, then your daughter may not be able to participate in the activity.
School Trips, Additional Activities and Residentials
Excursions and special visitors are often a highlight of your daughter’s educational journey. These activities will vary from year to year depending on the curriculum themes chosen by the girls and teachers.
Below is a table showing sample charges. VAT is not chargeable on these trips. Please note that costs do vary each year depending on the trips taken, the number of girls in each year group, and other factors.
Year 6 are also offered an optional Netball weekend at Condover, and the cost for this in 2025 was £230.
Curriculum Trips - PREP ONLY
Reception
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Residential Trips - PREP ONLY
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
£50
£65
£65
£90
£115
£130
£150
£360
£500
£800
VAT applied under Tour Operators’ Margin Sceme.
Wrap-around care
Breakfast Club
‘Early Birds’ breakfast club is available during term time at a charge of £5.60 per session to cover food and supervision costs. This charge will be added to your ParentPay account. Breakfast, which includes cereal, toast and a drink, will be served from 7.30 – 07.45 in Hope Hall and supervision with a member of staff will be provided until 08.30. Please note that girls attending the breakfast club will need to access the school via the pedestrian gate or upper driveway gate.
To secure your daughter’s place please book and pay for the required sessions on ParentPay by midnight 24 hours before the session being booked. For example, if you want to book breakfast club for a Wednesday morning, you will need to do this by midnight on Monday evening. If there is an emergency or no opportunity to book in advance, then do please feel free to bring your daughter to the club without prior booking. This will be charged in arrears.
After School Care (ASC)
Operates daily from 16.05 – 18.00. This service is offered to all girls in the Prep School. Girls attending After School Care enjoy an activity filled session in a safe, secure environment. Girls in Years 3-6 will undertake a Prep session for the first 45 mins, supervised by a member of the teaching staff in a quiet classroom setting.
Girls can attend ASC before or after extra co-curricular activity. If attending ASC prior to a school club, then ASC will be provided free of charge.
All girls attending who are not using the free, pre-club provision, are served sandwiches/wraps or pitta, fruit/crudites and a drink of water. This is included in the cost of the session. Please note that the snack served is not a replacement for their evening meal. Girls who are attending the free provision of ASC prior to the start of a club should bring in their own healthy snack to have after school, following the same healthy schools guidelines that apply to snacks during the school day (no crisps, biscuits, sweets, etc).
Fees charged on ParentPay
Breakfast Club - £5.60
Up to 30 minutes of ASC – pre-booked
£5.60
Up to 55 minutes of ASC – pre-booked
£10.40
Up to 115 minutes of ASC - pre-booked
£15.60
Non booked flat fee - £22.20
For late collection after 18.00 there is an additional charge of £22.20 for every 15 minutes.
After School Care must be booked and paid for in advance on ParentPay, by 12 noon at the latest on the day the service is required. If your daughter attends ASC without a booking then a flat fee of £22.20 will be charged on ParentPay.
The direct number for the Nursery classroom is 01225 595119.
After 18.00 any girls still to be collected are taken to the Nursery to wait.
Co curriculum activities
We offer an extensive range of co-curricular activities which further enrich our exciting curriculum. The lunchtime and after school activities enable the girls to explore new things, discover different interests and further develop their talents and strengths. Clubs are either run by our own teaching staff (often at no additional cost) or by specialist peripatetic staff (which may incur an additional charge).
Girls attending clubs are usually collected by car at the front of Cranwell House or from the MUGA pitch accessed via the top entrance.
Drama Tuition
The Royal High School offers peripatetic Speech and Drama teaching from Year 3 through to Sixth Form level. In the Prep School, our work follows an annual pattern. In the Autumn Term, girls enter for the London Academy of Music and Drama Art (LAMDA) external examinations. These offer the first steps in a series of examinations, which, for many girls leads through to Grade 8, which is of a standard comparable to A Level.
In the Spring term we work towards our own in-house Speech and Drama Festival. Here girls gain experience in performing for an audience and offering their work for adjudication. The girls can join a wide range of solo, duo and group classes. They can often learn a great deal from watching the work of other competitors. Please note that the work prepared can also be taken to the Mid-Somerset Festival in March (participation in the Mid-Somerset Festival is for parents to arrange if desired).
In the Summer term we enjoy a variety of activities aimed at developing
communication skills and confidence. We have fun with drama games, explore mime and improvisation, and enjoy poetry.
Although most girls enjoy the challenge offered by a festival and LAMDA, entry is not compulsory – parents can inform school if they would like their daughter to have lessons but not take exams. Work is undertaken in groups and all girls require an A4 notebook or ring binder with plastic sleeves in which to keep their work so that it does not become misplaced.
LAMDA fees: Currently £65 per term (Years 3-6) Accounts for drama tuition will be sent to you directly from the LAMDA teacher.
Music Tuition
We currently offer tuition in the following instruments: piano, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, cello, harp, guitar, cornet, trumpet, trombone, French horn and voice. The girls can work towards ABRSM examinations if they wish. If your daughter would like a trial lesson, or you would like to discuss instrumental lessons further, please contact Mrs Millard, Head of Performing Arts at p.millard@rhsb. gdst.net.
Fees: Around £20.00 per lesson. Accounts for music tuition will be sent to you directly from the teachers concerned. These should be settled with those teachers before the start of each term. Please note that one full term’s notice or fees in lieu are required if your daughter wishes to discontinue lessons.
Instrumental lessons happen in school time, including break times. Lessons are rotated so that girls don’t miss the same lesson each week.
Pupils’ own instruments are NOT covered by school insurance. If your daughter has a valuable instrument that she brings to school, please make sure that it is covered by your own insurance.
Dance Tuition
Mrs Bazley runs additional dance classes as part of our after-school clubs programme. These are run in year groups with some year groups mixed. The fees are £36.00 per term, paid via ParentPay.
Keeping healthy
Guidelines for School snacks
As a school we are proud to be advocates of the Director of Public Health Award, showing that we are committed to healthy eating and active play. Our aim is to educate our pupils to make sensible choices in terms of snacks at a young age alongside eating a balanced, nutritious diet. We actively discourage the sharing of snacks.
Please note that the school has a NO NUT policy as several girls and staff have serious allergies.
These guidelines are based on sugar, salt and fat content and are written in
consultation with class representatives. Given the greater variety of healthy snacks now available to purchase, we have created a traffic light system to assist parents. It is not an inclusive list; Mrs Fernandez will happily work with your daughter if she is unsure which area her snack would be allocated to!
In line with our Eco-Warriors pledge to cut down on use of single use plastic, we would also like to encourage parents to consider using reusable containers and buying items in bulk and dividing where possible.
Please note that the school’s healthy snack policy covers the duration of the school opening times i.e. 08.00 – 18.00.
Birthdays and Special Occasions
The girls may bring in cupcakes to share with other class members for special occasions. In Nursery and Reception these will be sent home with the girls at the end of the day. For all other year groups, the girls will be able to share these during the school day, or they will be sent home. Please ensure you are aware of food allergies in the class before these are sent in.
Medical matters
The Medical Centre Team
The Medical Centre is based at the Senior School is run by Sister Rebecca Purchase, Sister Liz Hawkes and Sister Vicky Matthews; they provide continuous nursing care during the school day. Sister Purchase visits the Prep School on a weekly basis and is, of course, available to deal with any emergencies. We are also supported by the school doctor, Dr Rees, who is a local GP.
There are qualified first aiders at the Prep School; many have completed paediatric first aid training and other members of staff have completed a basic first aid course. If there are any major problems, Sister Purchase will be contacted.
If you have any general health concerns about your daughter, your GP is the person most able to provide appropriate advice. However, if you have any anxieties about your daughter’s health that may affect her while she is at school, we would be happy to discuss them with you and provide any necessary help and support.
If your daughter has a chronic health problem, suffers from a prolonged illness or has to be admitted to hospital, it is helpful if you let us know. We can then offer her appropriate support during school. All girls with chronic health problems will have a health care plan [HCP] discussed with the parent, signed by them and available for staff in case of an emergency. These are updated annually or sooner if there are any changes to your daughter’s medical needs or care.
Illness in School
If your child becomes ill during the school day and needs to be collected, we will try to contact you. We will also contact the school nurse for further advice if necessary.
If we are unable to reach you girls are able to lie down in our First Aid room. When you come to collect your daughter, please sign her out. If your daughter has any symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea we would like her to go home for appropriate care as soon as possible.
If your daughter has been ill with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, please do keep her off school for 48 hours after the last episode of symptoms. This is to prevent the illness spreading through school. Thank you for your cooperation.
Medicines
If it is necessary for your daughter to bring any medication to school, please note the following procedures:
• Medicine is to be given to the school office or a member of staff personally.
• Please do not send in non-prescription medication – we will only accept prescribed medicines.
• Written confirmation of the dose and time is essential.
• Medicine must be sent in the original container (not re-packaged or relabelled) including the prescriber’s instructions for administration.
• Arrangements for collection of the medicine at the end of the day must be clearly stated.
• All emergency medication, i.e. adrenaline pens and asthma inhalers, must be clearly labelled and a spare inhaler brought into school for PE. Please hand these in to the Prep Administrator, or your daughter’s form teacher.
Without written instructions from parents we are not in a position to administer any medication.
Health Checks
We offer all new girls a school health check which is carried out by the school nurses. It comprises a short examination of height, weight, and a basic eye check and is a good way for the School Nurse to introduce herself to your daughter. We will notify you before these health checks, which take place in school. Your written consent will be sought via the Pupil Health Assessment form which you complete before your daughter starts at the Royal High School.
We hope to offer hearing tests again in 2025. These are usually offered in the Spring or Summer term at a minimal charge.
School Counsellor
Prep School girls are entitled to visit the school counsellor with parental permission if appropriate. Referral is via Mrs Michelle Fernandez. This service will be based at both sites.
If you need any further information please contact the Medical Centre staff on the following numbers: 01225 731007 (Medical Centre), 07810 697369 (Sister Purchase) Monday to Friday lunchtime or 07880 359427 (Sister Hawkes) Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or 07917 494863 (Sister Matthews).
“In accordance with the school doctor’s and nurse’s professional obligations, medical information about pupils, regardless of their age, will remain confidential. However, in providing medical and nursing care for a pupil, it is recognised that on occasions the doctor and nurse may liaise with the head teacher and other academic staff, house staff and parents or guardians, and that information, ideally with the pupil’s prior consent, will be passed on as necessary. With all medical and nursing matters, the doctor and nurse will respect a pupil’s confidence except on the very rare occasions when, having failed to persuade that pupil, or her authorised representative, to give consent to divulgence, the doctor or nurse considers that it is in the pupil’s better interests or necessary for the protection of the wider school community, to breach confidence and pass information to a relevant person or body.”
School uniform
A school uniform gives us a sense of belonging. Here are some guidelines to help us wear our uniform with pride.
General Guidelines
• School uniform must be worn by all girls coming to and from school, unless otherwise instructed, for example on mufti days or on some school outings.
• All uniform, including all footwear and under clothes such as vests, should be clearly named.
• In the winter the regulation school coat must be worn.
• Jewellery must not be worn in school, with the exception of a sensible analogue watch.
• Pierced ears are not recommended. Girls who already have pierced ears must wear the smallest gold stud possible which should be removed during PE lessons. Any ear piercings should be done at the beginning of the summer holidays as earrings must be taken out for PE lessons.
Shoes and Trainers
• Should be black or navy (leather look), lace up or strap with non-slip soles. Heels should be no more than 20mm.
• Ankle boots, ballerina-type or slip-on shoes should not be worn.
• In summer, shoes need not be so heavy, but heels and toes must be covered, no peep toes or sling backs. This is in accordance with medical advice.
• All years (Reception – Year 6 inclusive) should have proper sports trainers all year round. Boot-style trainers, or trainers with flashing lights are not suitable.
Hair
• Hair longer than a bob must be tied back at all times.
• Navy or black hair accessories are acceptable or school fabric scrunchies and hair bands for winter and summer. Hair grips and slides can be blue, black, gold, silver or brown. Alice bands should be the school fabric or navy.
•
Summer Dress
• All girls from Nursery to Year 6 inclusive, are encouraged to have summer uniform.
• Summer uniform can be worn when the weather dictates it is appropriate. This tends to be the second half of the Spring term, through to the first half of the Autumn term.
Infant Pupil Equipment List
(Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils ):
• A school book bag
• Infants may also have a Junior girls’ backpack, if easier, but this is not compulsory until Year 3 and is not recommended until Year 2 at the earliest
• Year 2 may also bring a water bottle and plain analogue watch
Junior Pupil Equipment List (Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 pupils):
• A plain analogue watch (no Fitbits, Apple Watches or other “smart” watches)
• A pencil case containing writing pencils, coloured pencils, highlighter pens, rubber, sharpener, 30cm ruler (rigid, not hinged)
• A pair of scissors suitable for cutting paper and card (left-handed if necessary)
• A glue stick (with replacements as necessary)
• A named water bottle
• Years 4 – 6 require a simple calculator
• Year 3 and 4 – Collins Primary Dictionary, to be kept at home
• Year 5 and 6 – Collins Pocket Thesaurus and Dictionary, to be kept at home
• Year 3 – 6 – Headphones – over the ear style for assessment weeks
Year 5 and Year 6 pupils only:
• A mathematical set including a clear, solid, non-colour protractor (half sized semi-circular), compass and ruler
Money in School
If your daughter needs to bring money to school it should be in a named, sealed envelope or a named purse and given to the class teacher for safe keeping.
Mobile phones / electronic equipment
No Smart Phones are allowed in school. If parents require their daughter to carry a phone for onward travel reasons, this should be a ‘dumb’ phone that only makes calls and has no internet connectivity.
In all cases:
• They are to be switched off and kept with an adult at all times during the school day
• They are to be kept in bags / put away while travelling on school buses or waiting for school buses
• Girls bring them into school at their own risk
• The school takes no responsibility for their security
• All phones/electrical equipment should be labelled with their owner’s name for security
• Any girls who repeatedly fail to hand in their phones/electronic equipment may forfeit this privilege
Staying safe online
Responsible use of the internet and e-mail in the Prep School
As part of the development of pupils’ independent learning/research skills and general curricular enhancement, we encourage responsible use of ICT, and provide filtered Internet access as well as simulated and viable e-mail accounts to pupils. In Years 1 and 2 an Acceptable Use document is shared with the pupils and the teacher will display a copy of this in class. In Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 the pupils go through the GDST user agreement, and the pupils sign this document. A copy is also displayed in class
You will be only too aware of some of the potential dangers of Internet use both to individuals, given the many sources of information and types of websites, and to organisations, in that viruses can be introduced quite easily onto a network without proper controls. All pupils are therefore taught the value of responsible actions, and to assess the authenticity of information. In addition, the teachers regularly discuss with pupils how the internet and e-mail should be used, what projects/tasks they are working on, encouraging them to be critical of the information they find and if on the rare occasion it might be unsuitable, to report it.
This approach extends to pupil use of iPads and apps. Terms and conditions of apps used by pupils are examined and deemed suitable for use in a Prep School setting. Pupils are taught how to use devices responsibly and to report any incidents as they would with any internet abled device. Prior to starting Senior School and in readiness for pupils having personal devices teachers discuss social media and age restrictions as part of internet safety education. We encourage parents to take an
active interest in their child’s engagement with internet abled devices. Any incidents of inappropriate use of technology in school is taken very seriously.
To avoid pupils encountering inappropriate sites, the GDST operates a filtering service which dynamically blocks “restricted” content. The GDST also operate a filtering service on e-mail usage that blocks any messages containing inappropriate language or executable files. Internet access logs and e-mail content may be examined, if it is strongly suspected that the Code of Conduct has been breached. These strategies cannot be made failsafe, however.
At the Prep School the staff give the pupils strict guidelines in the use of the Internet and e-mail (simulated and real) accounts. It is important that the girls understand and act responsibly and sensibly in accordance with the school rules/ICT Code of Conduct. Any deliberate or active abuse of the internet or e-mail, for example, through the posting of defamatory material on the former, or harassment of others through the latter, will not be tolerated and will lead to disciplinary action. Though it is extremely unlikely and has never happened at the Royal High School, it has to be pointed out that, in the most serious cases, this could result in expulsion from school and there is the possibility that any activities amounting to a criminal offence could be reported to the police.
Such extreme cases are very unlikely, although not unheard of, and it is important in the current climate to ensure safe use of ICT for both pupils and staff, whilst not diminishing pupils’ excitement or proficiency in this area. Whilst the main thrust of the Code relates to computer use, the same disciplines apply to the use of mobile phones, particularly those which have access to the internet.
Parental involvement
Helping in school
If you are interested in helping in school please do let your class teachers know as we are happy for parents to visit, read stories and help with special days. Any parent assisting on a regular basis will be required to undergo a full vetting process including a DBS disclosure.
Class representatives
Each class in the Prep School has one or two class representatives. Their role is to help welcome new families to the school, organise year group social activities outside of school and to bring any concerns, queries or requests to the termly class rep meetings with the Heads. These are voluntary roles and a great way to be involved with your daughter’s education.
Severe weather action plan
• We know that in the normal course of events you expect your daughter to be in school from when she arrives until the normal end of the school day. However, there are times, particularly during the winter, when we consider it desirable to allow the girls to leave early. These are very infrequent and are usually because of weather conditions or other transport difficulties. There are occasions when it is not possible to give prior notice to parents.
• On the very rare occasions when there is an exceptionally heavy fall of snow during the night, the roads in Bath can become very dangerous and the girls have to face the hazard not only of reaching school in the morning but returning home safely in the evening. If this happens, you will be advised of any severe road conditions around the school via SchoolPost in the first instance.
royalhigh@rhsb.gdst.net
+44(0)1225